Key Events in US and UK History: 17th-19th Centuries
Manifest Destiny in 19th Century America
During the 19th century, the US thrived to expand itself. Americans were convinced that the country should stretch across North America from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They claimed that it was a clear intention of fate, something that was meant to happen. This feeling/belief was called “Manifest Destiny.” It took the Americans a bit more than half a century; nonetheless, after 1848, they acquired the whole territory they expected from the very beginning.
Read MoreEnglish Settlements in Colonial America
The Colonial Period
Why Did the English Settle in North America?
- To establish a source of commercial gain.
- To discover a Northwest Passage to the Orient.
- To limit Spanish expansion.
- To seek religious freedom.
- The lower and middle classes sought increased economic opportunity (finding free or inexpensive land).
How did the English establish settlements? Although the English were anxious to duplicate the Spanish and Portuguese successes, and they had a theoretical claim to North America (John Cabot’s voyage
Read MoreMastering the Writing Process: Steps, Paragraphs, and Peer Editing
The Six Steps of the Writing Process
Pre-writing
Before you begin writing, decide what you are going to write about. This plan is called pre-writing.
Step One: Choose a Topic
Before you write, your teacher gives you a specific assignment or some ideas.
Step Two: Gather Ideas
When you have a topic, think about what you will write about.
Step Three: Organize
Decide which of the ideas you want to use and where you want to use them.
Drafting
Step Four: Write
Write your paragraph or essay from start to finish.
Read MoreWriting Effective Biographies, Opinion Essays, News, and Descriptions
Biography
A biography tells the story of another person’s life. It gives important information about the person’s childhood and career.
Structure
- Paragraph 1: Introduction and early life
- Paragraph 2: Main events
- Paragraph 3: Conclusion
Content
- Use narrative tenses to talk about past events.
- Use time expressions.
- Use relative clauses.
- Use adjectives to describe the person.
Useful Language
- Positive adjectives: Ambitious, brilliant, brave, creative.
- Negative adjectives: Aggressive, arrogant, egotistical, vain.
- Useful
British History: Restoration and 18th Century (1660-1786)
The Restoration and the 18th Century (1660-1786)
- After the Republic ruled by Oliver Cromwell and Richard Cromwell, the Restoration period began in 1660 (when England stopped being a republic), the year in which Charles II (the exiled Stuart King) was restored to the English throne.
- England, Scotland, and Wales were united as Great Britain by the 1707 Act of Union.
- The period was one of increasing commercial prosperity and global trade for Britain.
- Literacy expanded to include the middle classes and
Understanding Main Ideas and Topic Sentences in Writing
Understanding Main Ideas and Topic Sentences
Main ideas and topic sentences are distinct but crucial elements in effective writing. Let’s clarify their roles:
What is a Topic Sentence?
A topic sentence typically appears at the beginning of a paragraph. It introduces the main point or argument that the paragraph will discuss. Think of it as a roadmap for the reader, indicating the direction the paragraph will take. It’s like a traffic sign, guiding readers on their journey through your text.